Every city has a street which is famous or infamous for its night life. In New Orleans, a visit is not complete without a side trip to Bourbon Street. Bourbon Street is practically a fabled street in the French Quarter rich in history as well as in clubs and bars that are favorite night hangouts for tourists.

Bourbon Street was first mapped out 1721 following the establishment of the city?s street grid through the efforts of Adrien de Pauger. Bourbon Street takes its name after the Bourbon family, a royal kinship which during the creation of the street reigned over France and its Louisiana colony. Before being a famous night spot, the street was a residential district and was even regarded as one of the most posh neighborhoods in the entire New Orleans.

New Orleans, being predominantly Catholic, has been known to be more tolerant towards prostitution and alcohol as compared to the majority of the cities in the United States which are prevalently protestant who are known to be puritanical. Even during its younger years, New Orleans had a huge red light district coupled with more lenient alcohol regulations. In fact, prostitution was legalized in Storyville which is a community located just a stone?s throw away from the French Quarter. However, prostitution was again considered unlawful in Storyville in spite of the local government?s resistance after a Navy general expressed that the red light district is negatively affecting his people?s morale.

A lot of the jazz clubs, bars and other night destinations transferred to the French Quarter from Storyville. The French Quarter at that period was facing a grave deterioration as many of the rich residents relocated to other neighborhoods. Majority of the former Storyville establishments stayed in Upper Bourbon Street. As such, this area became identical to sin over the years.

At the height of World War II, new bars and strip clubs mushroomed along the stretch of Bourbon Street. Currently, the west side of the area starting from Canal Street all the way to St. Ann developed into a single vast entertainment district with strip clubs, tourist retail spaces and bars. The establishments feature peep shows, drag performances and cabarets. The bars here boast of signature New Orleans concoctions like the cocktail called ?The Hurricane? and many of these establishments live music ranging from Rock to Jazz. Upper Bourbon Street transforms from a quiet place during the day to an erupting party place at night full of intoxicated people.

In direct contrast, Lower Bourbon Street which is the eastern part is strikingly quitter. As you move closer to Esplanade Avenue, it becomes more tranquil with mostly residential houses. A standout among the rows of houses is New Orleans? most antiquated shop called Lafitte?s Blacksmith Shop.